Wissahickon solicitor announces move to McNees; board to vote on engagement April 1

Board solicitor Jeff told the board that the district’s education-law team will transfer from Fox Rothschild LLP to McNees, Wallace, and Nurick effective April 1, and that administration will present an engagement letter authorizing the change on the next Monday agenda.

Jeff said the move is amicable, that “no changes are being made to the terms of representation, the current rate structure, or personnel through, 06/30/2027,” and described the switch as a strategic decision to align regional expertise and manage overhead. He said the change will expand the district’s access to construction and public‑finance practice areas while keeping current contacts available to the district.

During questions, Jeff said the shift was prompted largely by cost and the firms’ relative sizes. He noted conflicts clauses are standard practice for general‑counsel offices and said the district has not previously had to invoke conflict resolutions but would work through any issues on a mutual basis if they arise. He also stated, by way of illustration, that his firm’s rack hourly rate was close to $1,400 an hour but that the district’s fees will not change under the proposed arrangement.

Board members were told the superintendent and/or business manager will be authorized to sign necessary documents to effectuate the transfer if the board approves the engagement at the meeting scheduled next week. The engagement letter and a motion to acknowledge the education law group’s move will appear on the upcoming agenda for board action.